Storage and disposal vehicle

ABSTRACT

A loaded container is easily lifted and up-ended from a stable, resting position on a mobile platform through the use of a yoke swingably mounted on the edge of the platform and pivotally connected to the container. An upstanding leg on the edge of the platform engages the container below the yoke connection, pivoting the container as it is lifted and transported over the edge of the platform. After discharge, the container tends to return itself to normal resting position on the platform.

United States Patent Sisson 1 Apr. 25, 1972 [54] STORAGE AND DISPOSAL VEHICLE [21] Appl. No.: 76,129

Primary E.raminerRobert G. Sheridan Attorney-Fishburn, Gold and Litman [57 ABSTRACT A loaded container is easily lifted and up-ended from a stable, resting position on a mobile platform through the use of a yoke swingably mounted on the edge of the platform and v pivotally connected to the container. An upstanding leg on the [52] U.S.Cl ..298/2, Mfg/{13825820421365 g of the platform engages the container below the yoke 4 l connection, pivoting the container as it is lifted and trans [5 l] Int. Cl ..B62b 1/24 ported over the edge of the p|atform After i l the Com l Search 8 R, 280/4736; tainer tends to return itself to normal resting position on the 248/137-142; 2l4/3l7 platform. 7

- [56] v References cued 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,142,630 6/1915 Rydell .1980 2,476,782 7/1949 Tucker ..298/2 f 4 I I; v' i 8 i i l l 8 I f l 42 l l l A Q i as l 1 53 l I 32 1 2' I 7 I 22 t 27 L r I i 40 H. z 13 22 2 3L 37 i i I? [6 l i7 l 25 i8 3 35 (8 l3 '2 2 Z? l I l H ill Z O H 5 1/ 20 l Ill y 56 0 PATENTEDAPRZS I972 3,658,383

INVENTOR Girard B. Sisson BY MW, $51M 4 ATTORNE Y5 PAIENTEBAPR 25 m2 SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR. Cnrard B. Sisson Wma ATTORNEYS STORAGE AND DISPOSAL VEHICLE This invention relates to mobile storage and disposal apparatus and more particularly to a storage container supporting structure wherein the containers may be lifted and upended for discharge of contents with a minimum of effort.

The discharge of loaded containers such as drums or barrels has long presented a difficult problem due to weight and unwieldy shape. Particularly, the average homeowner or small business concern may be unable to conveniently move and dump such containers.

This invention contemplates a wheeled platform or vehicle upon which containers such as trash barrels may be easily transported to a desired location and the contents dumped. This is accomplished through the use of a yoke member having a trunnion connected to the container and also pivotally connected to the edge of a wheeled platform. An upstanding leg is secured to the platform and engages the lower portion of the container to induce tipping as the yoke member lifts and transports the container over the platform edge. After discharge, the container seeks its normal vertical storage condition on the platform upon permitting the yoke to return to its rest position.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a containeror receptacle platform including structure by which the receptacle may be quickly and easily upended from resting position for discharge; to provide such a device with eliminates the necessity of bodily lifting the receptacle; to provide such apparatus whereby the simple manipulation of a single lever displaces the receptacle laterally as well as producing tipping for discharge; and to provide such structure which may be easily adapted to support multiple receptacles, is inexpensive to manufacture and is efficient in operatlon. 7

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a mobile storage and disposal vehicle embodying this invention and adapted to carry two barrels or drums.

HO. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with portions broken away to illustrate certain details.

F l0. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus with one of the drums shown in discharge position. A

. Referring to the drawings in more detail:

The reference numeral 1 generally indicates a storage and disposal vehicle embodying this invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a rectangular frame 2 including suitable crss-bars 3 and 4 forming a platform 5 for receiving and supporting, in this example, a pair of drums 6 and 7 thereon in upstanding position. The drums 6 and 7, in the illustrated example, are open at the top for conveniently receiving trash or other objects therein and, for sanitary purposes a thin plastic liner or bag 8 is contained in the respective drums 6 and 7 for packaging the contents prior to disposal. The drums 6 and 7 may be dinal axis of the platforms. The legs 16 and 17 are braced by suitable supporting members 18 against excessive deflection during dumping and include, in this example, upper ends 19 which terminate roughly half-way between the bottom 20 and the vertical center 21 of the respective drums 6 and 7. Suitable skid members such as rollers 22 are mounted on the respective upper ends 19 for rotation about axes extending transversely of the frame 2 and, during dumping, movably engage the outer surface 23 of the respective drums.

- Yoke members 24 are associated with the frame 2 on each end of the platform 5 and respectively comprise a pair of rigid lever arms 25 and 26 having upper portions 27 and lower ends 28. The lever arms 25 and 26 are sufficiently spaced apart at the upper portions 27 to receive the respective drums therebetween as best illustrated in FIG. 2. Horizontal transverse rods 29 join each'pair of lever arms 25 and 26 in rigid relation and are rotatably secured transversely at the outboard ends 12 and 13 of the platform 5. Thus, the rotation or pivoting of one of the lever arms 25 or 26 through an angle, such as that illustrated by the arrow 30, results in a simultaneous identical movement of the other lever arm.

The upper portions 27 of the respective lever arms 25 and 26 form trunnion connections 31 with the drums on opposite sides thereof and on axes extending generally horizontally centrally through the drums. Preferably, a rigid strap 32 is secured to each side of the respective drum to form a base or support for the connection 31.

' In the illustrated example, the upper portions 27 of the lever arms 25 and 26 have fingers 33 projecting axially therefrom and adapted to be received into an extender rod 34 for the of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid construction including plastic and metal.

Mobility of the vehicle 1 is provided by suitable ground contacting wheels including relatively large bicycle style wheels 9 pivotally'mounted in central, opposed positions on each side of the frame 2 and preferably being rimmed with semi-pneumatic tires 10. This type of wheel provides high mobility with little effort over various terrain conditions. A pair of smaller outrigger wheels 11 are located centrally near the outboard ends 12 and 13 of the frame 2 and act both as levelling legs for dumping or as respective third wheels for balancing unwieldy loads as shown in FIG. 3. The outrigger wheels 11 are preferably associated with suitable brake structures, 14 controlled, in this example, by operating levers 15 whereby the wheels 11 are selectively locked in position to prevent shifting of the vehicle during dumping.

Upstanding legs 16 and 17 are respectively rigidly supported on the frame 2 at the ends 12 and 13 along the longitupurposeof increasing leverage about the transverse rod 29.

Suitable restraining members such as chains 35 are anchored at 36 on the frame 2 and also at 36 on the respective lever arms 25 and 26. The chains 35 form free hanging loops when the yoke members 24 are in the normal position, FlG. 1, however, they function to restrain the movement of the lever arms 25 and 26 beyond the position shown at the left of HO. 3, as described further below.

The large wheels 9 are mounted on a suitable tower structure 37 rigidly secured to the platform 5. The tower structure 37 extends upwardly beyond the point of wheel support and forms a pivotal connection 38 with a handle 39 which selectively projects beyond the drum 7 at a convenient height for pushing the vehicle 1 The handle 39 is in the form of a loop large enough to surround a drum and is maintained in desired position by braces 40 also pivotally connected to the tower structure 37 and secured to the handle 39 by means of locking sleeves 41. The sleeves 41 are maintained in desired position along the handle 39 through hand operated screws 42 which, when loosened, permit the sleeves 41 to slide longitudinally toward and away from the pivotal connection 38. By loosening and subsequently tightening the screws 42, the handle 39 may be pivoted over the respective drums to avoid interference during dumping and permitting the vehicle 1 to be pushed or pulled from either direction. The arrangement is also convenient for adjusting the grasping height of the handle 39 as desired.

In operation, when it is desired to dump a drum, the plastic liner 8 may be closed and sealed as at 43, FIG. 3, the handle 39 suitably adjusted, and the vehicle pushed to the discharge location. The extender rod 34, if deemed necessary, is then assembled with either lever arm 25 or 26 and used to move the' yoke member 24 and, therefore, the pivotal connections 31 along a path illustrated by the arrow 30, FIG. 3. The motion of the yoke member 24 first slightly lifts the drum from the platform 5 and urges it against the roller 22, forcing the drum to simultaneously move outwardly over the end of the platform while tipping about the pivotal connections 31. The yoke motion is continued until the pivotal connections 31 travel past the vertical plane containing the axis of the roller 22. whereupon the net pivoting moment of the loaded drum is toward its open end, causing sufi'lcient rotation for discharging the drum contents, as shown in FIG. 3. The yoke member 24 is prevented from moving excessively beyond the drum tip posi tioned by the respective chains 35. When the drum contents is dumped, the drum tends to be overbalanced toward its bottom 20 and, therefore, the return motion of the yoke member 24 is accompanied by a reverse pivoting of the drum whereupon the drum again comes to rest in upstanding position as illustrated in HO. 1.

The transportation of the vehicle 1 and the dumping of the containers thereon have been found to require surprisingly little'effort, thus rendering the device particularly suitable for home use. Also, it is to be understood that the liners 8 are optional, and liquids or other materials may be contained and discharged in the barrels as described without departing from this invention.

It is to be further understood that while one form of vehicle has been illustrated and described, it is not to be limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.

What l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

. Storage and disposal apparatus comprising:

a. a frame forming a platform having an edge, at least one upstanding container on said'frame and inwardly of said edge,

b. an upstanding leg supported on said frame adjacent said edge and having an upper end located roughly half-way between the bottom and vertical center of said container and adapted to movably engage the outer surface of said container,

c. a yoke member comprising a pair of rigid arms having upper portions engaged in trunnion connections approximately centrally of said container, said yoke member being pivotally connected to said frame adjacent said edge for arcuate movement about said edge and over said leg,

d. whereby arcuate movement of said yoke over said leg lifts said container from said platform and simultaneously tips said container about said upper end. thereby up-ending said container over said edge.

2. The apparatus as called for in claim 1 wherein:

said frame has ground contacting wheels providing ground mobility thereto.

3. The apparatus as called for in claim 2 wherein:

a. said wheels comprise a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on a transverse axis centrally of said frame and a pair of outrigger wheels mounted on a longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of said transverse axis.

4. The apparatus as called for in claim 1 including:

a. roller means located at said upstanding leg upper end for ease of movement with respect to said container engagement.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. restraining means operably connected between said yoke member and said frame and preventing excessive arcuate movement of said yoke member during container up-endmg.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. an extension is provided for one of said rigid arms to increase yoke leverage about said edge.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. two containers and duplicate yokes and legs are provided on said platform.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. a handle pivotally connected to said frame on a horizontal axis and forming a loop projecting beyond the prephery of said container, and

b. means for locking said handle in desired position, whereby said handle may be utilized to push said vehicle from either horizontal direction. 

1. Storage and disposal apparatus comprising: a. a frame forming a platform having an edge, at least one upstanding container on said frame and inwardly of said edge, b. an upstanding leg supported on said frame adjacent said edge and having an upper end located roughly half-way between the bottom and vertical center of said container and adapted to movably engage the outer surface of said container, c. a yoke member comprising a pair of rigid arms having upper portions engaged in trunnion connections approximately centrally of said container, said yoke member being pivotally connected to said frame adjacent said edge for arcuate movement about said edge and over said leg, d. whereby arcuate movement of said yoke over said leg lifts said container from said platform and simultaneously tips said container about said upper end, thereby up-ending said container over said edge.
 2. The apparatus as called for in claim 1 wherein: a. said frame has ground contacting wheels providing ground mobility thereto.
 3. The apparatus as called for in claim 2 wherein: a. said wheels comprise a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on a transverse axis centrally of said frame and a pair of outrigger wheels mounted on a longitudinal axis and on opposite sides of said transverse axis.
 4. The apparatus as called for in claim 1 including: a. roller means located at said upstanding leg upper end for ease of movement with respect to said container engagement.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including: a. restraining means operably connected between said yoke member and said frame and preventing excessive arcuAte movement of said yoke member during container up-ending.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. an extension is provided for one of said rigid arms to increase yoke leverage about said edge.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. two containers and duplicate yokes and legs are provided on said platform.
 8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including: a. a handle pivotally connected to said frame on a horizontal axis and forming a loop projecting beyond the prephery of said container, and b. means for locking said handle in desired position, whereby said handle may be utilized to push said vehicle from either horizontal direction. 